This was the final weekend of fall league for 2008 and I was going to watch two contests. That didn't happen. Unfortunately Eden Prairie only had six players and didn't stay around for what was going to be my second game of the day vs Park-Cottage Grove. The first game matched up the two finalists from the AAAA State Championship game for the past two years. The difference in this game today was another absence----Tayler Hill of South. SPC led throughout the game with three ties in the first half. Central's biggest lead coming early in the second half with a 6 point margin.

This game started out with three straight scores. Theairra Taylor, the recent Iowa signee knocked down a trey to put Central up 5-2. Europe Guy had a three of her own to tie it up. The defending two time champs continued to build their lead with TT knocking down another three, and Samantha Robinson-Ricks scoring on a drive to make it 12-7. Ameshia Kearney came into the contest for South and she hit two consecutive baskets, one of which was a three to narrow the margin to 15-12. Tyisha Smith handled the point guard responsibilities and she looked to take it to the basket each time. Smith went to the line three times as Central wasn't going to allow free lay ups. However Smith was perfect at the line all day on her way to 10 points. Guy tied the game at 18. Johnson broke the tie with a three. That started a 6-2 run to finish the half. Smith wrapped up the half with two free throws after the horn to make it 24-20 Central.

Central pushed their lead to 26-20, the biggest of the day on a potential &1. Sadiqah Jihad started the South comeback right away with a three. Smith went to the line for two more free throws on the next Tiger possession. Robinson-Ricks pushed the Central margin back to 30-25. South never could get get over the hump. The Tigers got as close as 32-31 after an complete &1 from Kearney and two more times after that with the last coming on two more Smith free throws. South had two chances to take the lead but a turnover and two missed free throws left them stranded. Laura Hansen scored an insurance basket with 2:30 left. Jen Hill added an insurance free throw to stop any three point ties.

Could these two teams face each other in the AAAA State tournament again? The answers begin tomorrow as Minnesota opens High School practice.

you can see the entire Central vs South photo gallery at kevinanderson.photostockplus.com.

Key: player, points, possessions, pp100, floor %ST. PAUL CENTRALSTARTERSKyana Johnson 7, 4, 175.0, .750 ran the show with poise and calmness. Delivered the ball to the right people at the right time. has 3 range. deceptive passes. doesn't stare things down.Theairra Taylor 8, 11, 72.7, .273 was looking for the 3 shot most of the day. does like to drive baseline.Samantha Robinson-Ricks 11, 12, 91.7, .417 is looking faster and stronger. has a flair, and likes the spectacular, but can be reckless with the ball. late in the game didn't finish a shot that didn't need to be taken. has 3 range. active on defense.Catavia Jones 4, 4, 100.0, .500 post player. scored off second chancers.Laura Hansen 2, 1, 200.0, 1.000 guard. knows her role.BENCHJasmine Conley 3, 3, 100.0, .333 forward. needs to watch her feet.Maja Cyrus 1, 4, 25.0, .250 forwardJen Hill 3, 4, 75.0, .500 guard that has good ball instincts and is smooth. Looks to pass when she could be shooting.

MINNEAPOLIS SOUTHSTARTERSEurope Guy 7, 9, 77.8, .333 likes the 3 shot. lefty.Tyisha Smith 10, 14, 71.4, .357 point guard. quick, snappy. loves to drive to the basket. deadly at the line. all of her points came from the charity stripe.Jenny Houle 0, 1, 0.0, .000 perimeter. wasn't free to shoot the 3.Gabby Roberts 0, 4, 0.0, .000 forward. will get fouled and needs to deliver at the line.Sadiqah Jihad 5, 3, 166.7, .667 another guard. has 3 range. good speed. needs to be more assertive with her shot.BENCHAmeshia Kearney 11, 8, 137.5, .625 guard with point abilities. 3 range. will score off the drive. went to the line three times. Kaneesha Green 0, 1, 0.0, .000 forwardMallory Cramer 2, 2, 100.0, .500 post playerLaura Thomas 0, 2, 0.0, .000 perimeter

TRENCH PLAYERKyana Johnson, played under control, did what she needed to do, and was aware

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I have been publishing recruiting guides for over ten years. I started with girls basketball, but I am expanding to other sports. I give a rating score for players based on performance. The system is based on numbers like Moneyball or Bill James in Baseball. Emotion, or subjectivity is taken out of the equation.
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